Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue), disillusioned with his father, a mortuary
owner, decides to enter a seminary school and abdicate his vows upon
completion, thereby getting him a free college degree. Four years pass
and Michael is being ordained to the diaconate at the seminary. However,
after ordination he writes a letter of resignation to his superior,
Father Matthew, citing a lack of faith. Father Matthew (Toby Jones),
apparently wanting to talk Michael out of his decision attempts to
catch up to Michael on the street. He trips as he walks over a curb,
causing a biker to swerve into the path of an oncoming car. The young
woman, believing Michael to be a priest after seeing his clerical garb,
asks him for absolution. Unable to refuse, Michael comforts her and
performs the ritual absolving her sins. Seeing how calmly he handled the
situation, Father Matthew tells Michael he is called to be a priest,
whether Michael believes this or not; he later approaches Michael with
an invitation to travel to Rome in order to attend a class on exorcism.
Michael reluctantly accepts after being told by Father Matthew that he
will be levied a $100,000 student loan if he leaves immediately, but
that if he still desires to resign from his position after taking the
class, then he may be free to leave.